Why Traditional Coaching Doesn’t Work for Most High-Powered Start-Up Founders & Leaders (and What We Actually Need)

Truth be told—I never planned to be a coach. Just like co-founding my first startup, it wasn’t part of the path I saw for myself. My journey began with Kiweno, a startup born out of necessity when I struggled to find effective solutions for my own health issues. It was a wild ride (more on that another time 😉).

Seven years in, I transitioned to co-found Rootine and went through Techstars NYC, where I experienced a defining moment in my entrepreneurial journey: our CEO circle. Every other Tuesday, we—CEOs of the cohort—would come together in a safe space to share openly and vulnerably. We discussed everything from the highs and lows of running a startup to personal challenges like relationship struggles and burnout. It was a space where vulnerability was not just welcomed but celebrated, and it taught me the power of being truly seen and heard.

After I stepped down as CEO of Rootine due to burnout, I openly shared my story—a decision that resonated with many. Soon, founders and leaders started reaching out, asking if I could coach them. My initial reaction was, “I’m not a coach.” But they persisted, wanting guidance from someone who understood their unique challenges. And so, my coaching path was born.

I did what every aspiring coach does: I got trained in coaching. While I learned immensely from systemic coaching and non-violent communication, I began to notice that something was missing.

The Limits of Traditional Coaching for High-Powered Founders

Most of the founders and leaders I work with are high-performing individuals who operate in a constant state of overstimulation and mental overdrive. Many are stuck in their heads, overwhelmed by the pressures of leadership and the relentless pace of startup life (oh boy, can I relate!).

Many CEOs are incredibly articulate and excel at analyzing and strategizing. But over the years of running at a relentless pace, many have lost a deep connection to their bodies, their feelings, and their inner worlds. As I embarked deeper on my own healing journey from burnout, I realized that to truly support these leaders, we needed to go beyond the mind.

Why Traditional Coaching Falls Short

1. Founders Operate in High-Stress Environments:
High-powered founders and CEOs are constantly in high-pressure environments that activate their fight-or-flight responses. Traditional coaching often doesn’t address the physiological impact of chronic stress, which is critical for achieving lasting change.

2. Overreliance on the Mind:
Many founders are already entrenched in their heads, overanalyzing and overthinking every decision. Traditional coaching can sometimes reinforce this by staying within the realm of cognitive processing, without tapping into the deeper insights held within the body.

3. Ignoring the Body’s Role in Healing:
The body carries the imprints of past experiences, traumas, and unprocessed emotions that manifest as stress, burnout, or recurring patterns. Somatic work allows for the release and integration of these stored emotions, something that traditional coaching often overlooks.

4. Lack of Safe Spaces for Vulnerability:
For leaders, showing vulnerability can feel risky, and many founders feel isolated in their challenges. A somatic and trauma-informed approach emphasizes creating safe spaces where leaders can explore their inner worlds authentically, leading to more profound and sustainable breakthroughs.

5. Addressing Ego Structures and Coping Mechanisms:
Founders often develop strong ego structures and coping mechanisms to survive the demands of leadership. Understanding and gently unraveling these patterns requires more than conversation—it requires a holistic approach that includes working with the nervous system and the body’s emotional landscape.

What We Actually Need: A Holistic Approach Integrating Body, Mind, and Heart

So, I started exploring somatics, the nervous system, and the emotional patterns that shape our behaviors and decisions. I immersed myself in trauma-informed practices and learned how our bodies store stress, trauma, and unprocessed emotions, all of which can profoundly impact our leadership and decision-making. This exploration opened a radically new path for supporting founders and leaders.

Over the years of working intimately with founders and leaders, I’ve developed an approach that blends the strategic insights of systemic coaching with the depth of somatic work and nervous system regulation. Today, my coaching approach integrates these elements to provide a holistic and transformative experience.

How My Approach Works

Reconnecting with Your Body:
We start by moving out of the mind and into the body. Through techniques like breathwork, guided visualization, and somatic exercises to regulate your nervous system, I help you reconnect with your physical self and release the emotional blockages stored within.

Navigating Your Inner World:
Together, we dive deep into your inner realms, exploring the patterns, triggers, and coping mechanisms that have shaped your journey. This trauma-informed approach allows us to work through past experiences that may still be influencing your present.

Aligning Mind, Body, and Heart:
My goal is to guide you from a state of constant doing to a balanced state of being, where your actions are aligned with your true self. This alignment fosters clarity, resilience, and authentic leadership.

Developing Emotional Mastery & Wisdom:
Beyond immediate relief, my approach equips you with the tools and practices to maintain balance and alignment long after our sessions. It’s about creating lasting change that supports your journey as a leader and as a human being.

My Mission: Guiding You into Your Being-ness

My mission is simple yet profound:
To guide you from doing to being, helping you reconnect with and embrace your true self. I empower founders and leaders to lead from a place of authenticity, balance, and inner alignment. I believe that when you reconnect with your true self, you unlock the full potential of your leadership. It’s not just about achieving goals—it’s about deeply changing the way you show up in the world, for yourself and for others.

Ready to Re-Connect?

If you’re seeking a coaching approach that integrates your whole being—mind, body, and heart—I invite you to connect with me. Let’s explore how we can work together to unlock your full potential and lead in a way that feels truly aligned with who you are.